Home-Ground Advantage Is Key

The 2026 SA Cup reaches another crescendo this weekend as Suzuki Griquas, the Airlink Pumas, Toyota Cheetahs and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers battle it out for places in next weekend’s final.

While the four semi-finalists have already qualified for the 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division, the focus now shifts firmly to the pursuit of silverware.

Defending champions, the Airlink Pumas, and the Toyota Cheetahs kick off the play-off action on Friday at 18h00 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit in the first of the two semi-finals.

In the second semi-final, to be staged in Kimberley from 13h00 on Saturday, Suzuki Griquas take on the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers. Both games will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The Pumas boast an impressive record in this competition, having lost the inaugural final to Griquas in 2024 before going unbeaten in 2025 to clinch the title against the same opponents in the final.

Jimmy Stonehouse’s men finished second on the log (38 points) behind Griquas, suffering only one defeat and registering a weather-disrupted draw against the Cheetahs during the league phase.

The Cheetahs, under the guidance of Frans Steyn, secured their semi-final place with a dramatic last-gasp victory over the previously unbeaten Griquas last weekend – a result that underlined their well-known fighting spirit.

Although the Pumas have turned Mbombela Stadium into something of a fortress, they face a confident Cheetahs outfit, who arrive on the back of handing the table-topping Griquas their only defeat of the campaign in last weekend’s thriller in Bloemfontein.

The men from Mpumalanga have featured in four cup finals over the past four years, winning the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division in 2022 and the SA Cup in 2025 – evidence of their pedigree in knockout rugby.

Encounters between the Pumas and Cheetahs are traditionally tightly contested. Over the past three SA Cup seasons, only five points separate the sides in their respective meetings. Adding further intrigue, their league clash earlier in March was abandoned due to a thunderstorm in Bloemfontein.

The Pumas head into the semi-final with momentum, having recorded four wins from their last five matches, their only setback a 44-34 defeat away to Griquas. The Free Staters, meanwhile, have shown resilience on the road, losing just once in their last four away fixtures – a 43-26 defeat to the Valke.

Friday evening’s encounter is followed by the second semi-final on Saturday, when Suzuki Griquas host the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.

The SA Cup pacesetters return to their Kimberley stronghold after a dominant league phase in which they secured eight wins from nine matches. Boasting the competition’s best defensive record, Pieter Bergh’s side will be formidable opponents on home soil.

History also favours the hosts. Since the competition’s inception in 2024, Griquas have held the upper hand over Boland and have finished in the top two in all three SA Cup editions to date, winning both their previous semi-finals.

That pedigree, combined with their impressive home record, makes them favourites against Hawies Fourie’s Kavaliers side, whose only defeat in their last five outings came against Griquas, who won their league phase clash by 24-14 when the teams met earlier in the competition.

A fascinating contest is expected, pitting Griquas’ renowned defensive steel against a Boland outfit known for their attacking flair and ability to score from anywhere on the field.

The two semi-final winners will play in the 2026 final scheduled for next Saturday, 23 May, at 18h15.

Match information

Airlink Pumas vs Toyota Cheetahs

Date: Friday, 15 May

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 13h00

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby & CSN

Suzuki Griquas vs Sanlam Boland Kavaliers

Date: Saturday, 16 May

Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley

Kick-off: 15h00

Referee: Dylen November

Broadcast: SuperSport Variety 4